“Oh, oh!” Dan remarked under his breath, as the man came swiftly toward them. “His face is as black as the smudge on mine! Something tells me we’re in for it now!”
CHAPTER 12
A Debt to Pay
Mr. Kain strode directly to Mr. Hatfield and the two cubs. The angry expression on his face left no doubt as to his attitude about the fire.
“I might have known something like this would occur!” he began. “Boys never should be permitted to run wild in a wooded area.”
“Just a minute, Mr. Kain,” interposed the Cub leader wearily. “Don’t jump to hasty conclusions.”
“The bank property has been damaged. We happen to own the woods, you know. It was a mistake to allow your organization to use this land.”
“You’re assuming that the Cubs started the fire, Mr. Kain.”
“What else should I think? They’ve been here almost daily, having picnics and starting fires.”
“That isn’t true, Mr. Kain,” Brad interposed, losing patience. “The Cubs have been careful about fires, knowing how dry the woods are at this time of year.”
“We’ve eaten cold food,” Dan added. “When this fire started, not a Cub was near the place so far as I know.”